Renovating My Old House: Installing a Bathroom Shower Curtain

How to Install a Bathroom Shower Curtain

Updating a bathroom doesn’t always require major renovation, sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest difference. Installing a new shower curtain is one of the quickest, easiest upgrades you can do, and it instantly refreshes the space. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps I took to install a bathroom shower curtain in my home, along with some simple tips to make the process smooth and frustration‑free.

What You’ll Need

- Shower curtain

- Shower curtain liner (optional but recommended)

- Curtain rings / hooks

- Tension shower rod or mounted shower rod

- Measuring tape

- Step stool (if needed)

- Drill and bit

- Painters Tape

- Level

- Pencil

Tension Rods vs. Mounted Rods

Tension Rods

What they are: Tension rods are adjustable rods that stay in place using internal spring pressure. They don’t require screws, drilling, or wall anchors.

How They Work: You twist the rod to extend it slightly wider than your shower opening.

When you place it between the two walls, the internal spring creates pressure that holds it in place.

Pros
- No drilling needed — perfect for renters or tile walls you don’t want to damage.
- Easy to install and remove (takes under a minute).
- Adjustable length, so it fits most spaces.
- Affordable and widely available.

Cons
- Can slip if not tightened properly or if the walls are glossy.
- Not ideal for very heavy shower curtains.
- Less sturdy compared to mounted rods.

Mounted Rods

What they are: Mounted rods attach to the wall using brackets and screws. They require basic tools to install.

How They Work: You mark the bracket positions on each wall. Drill holes, insert wall anchors, and screw in the brackets. The rod sits securely on the mounted supports.

Pros
- Very sturdy; won’t slip or fall.
- Best for heavy curtains or tension-weighted liners.
- More decorative options, curved rods, and premium finishes.
- Looks more permanent and polished.

Cons
- Requires drilling into walls (tile, drywall, or plaster).
- Not ideal for renters unless approved.
- Installation takes more time and tools.

Quick Summary

Feature	Tension Rod	Mounted Rod
Installation	No tools, no drilling	Requires drilling & screws
Stability	Medium	Very strong
Best For	Renters, temporary setups, lightweight curtains	Permanent setups, heavy curtains, curved designs
Wall Damage	None	Small screw holes
Adjustability	Fully adjustable	Fixed once installed

Installation

We opted for a mounted rod. It came in a kit with all the parts, stencils and necessary instructions to install it myself. It's important to know how high it needs to measure and identify the placement.

Measure the Height & Placement: Decide where the rod will sit. Standard shower curtain height is typically based on installing the rod 72–74 inches from the floor, but your exact placement will depend on:

The length of your curtain
How far down you want it to hang
Keeping the curtain inside the tub to prevent leaks

How to Measure Properly

Measure your shower curtain’s total length.
Subtract 1–2 inches for floor clearance.
Mark that height on both walls.

For Example: If your curtain is 72", mount the rod around 73–74" from the floor.

As a personal preference, I had a higher floor clearance, I installed the rod so the curtain was about 5 inches above the floor.

Mark the Bracket Locations: our kit came with a paper stencil that allowed me to ensure I drilled the holes in the right locations for the rod mount. I taped the stencil on one side, after i determined the height. I then used a level to place the second stencil on the other side of the bathtub; this will ensure the two sides will align horizontally.

Since I used a curve rod, the instructions made explicit notations to ensure you orient the curve correctly to allow the bulge to be pointed outward from the tub.

Drill the Holes. I was fortunate to only having to drill into drywall. So I used a standard wood/drywall bit. Drill slightly smaller than your wall anchors for a snug fit. Make the holes shallow enough to securely hold the anchors.

Slide each end into the brackets.

Since I am installing a curved rod, I had to ensure the curve faces outward from the shower/bathtub. Attach the rod in two sections if it’s a multi‑piece system.

Tighten the set screw (a small screw on the bracket that locks the rod in place).

Make sure both sides are level and the rod feels solid.